Wed Jan 22 22:40:00 UTC 2025: **House Passes Laken Riley Act, Sparking Immigration Debate and Cost Concerns**

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives passed the amended Laken Riley Act on Wednesday, sending a major immigration reform bill to President Trump’s desk for his signature. The bill, passed 263-156 with bipartisan support, mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants suspected of even minor offenses, a move fueled by the murder of Laken Riley by an undocumented immigrant with a prior misdemeanor charge.

The legislation, which passed the Senate on Tuesday, requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants charged with theft or assault on a law enforcement officer. It also grants states the power to sue the federal government for alleged failures in immigration policy enforcement.

While supporters, like Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), argue the bill prioritizes public safety and deters illegal immigration, critics like Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) cite a projected $27 billion first-year cost and warn of unintended consequences, such as overcrowding detention centers and diverting resources from more serious crimes. ICE estimates it would need to expand its detention capacity significantly to accommodate the increased number of detainees.

The bill’s passage was marked by significant Democratic defections. Forty-six House Democrats and twelve Senate Democrats voted in favor, defying their party leadership. This bipartisan support, however, was partially driven by a letter signed by 13 Senate Democrats pledging to work with Republicans on immigration issues; ten of these senators then voted for the Laken Riley Act, helping it clear the 60-vote threshold in the Senate.

House Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted the contrast with the previous Democratic-controlled Senate and the Biden administration, asserting that the current bipartisan Senate provided a willing partner in addressing immigration issues. The bill previously passed the House in the last Congress but stalled in the Senate.

The significant cost and potential logistical challenges associated with implementing the Laken Riley Act remain major points of contention, sparking debate about the bill’s long-term effectiveness and impact on the immigration system.

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